Refrigerating apparatus for water-supply systems



No. 622,l|3. Patented Mar. 28, I899. L. K. BRUBAKER.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS FOR WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS.

(Application filed Nov. 2, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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LEVI K. BRUBAKER, OF LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA.

REFRIGERATIN'G APPARATUS FOR WATER-SUPPLY SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 622,1 13, dated March Q8, 1899. Application filed November 2, 1898. Serial No. 695,29 5- (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVI K. BRUBAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lititz, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Refrigerating Apparatus for Tater-Supply Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a cooling apparatus for water-supply systems, and has for its object to provide simple, inexpensive, and efficient means for cooling or refrigerating the water-supply of cities, towns, and the like in its passage through the Water-main from the reservoir to the pointof distribution.

It also has for its object to provide in such an apparatus simple and effective means for clearing out obstructions that m ay occur without interfering with the operation of the cooling apparatus or stopping or shutting off the water-supply.

It has for a further object to provide apparatus of the character described in which necessary repairs may be made from time to time without interfering with the proper operation of the water-supply system.

Finally, it has for its object to improve and simplify this class of apparatus generally.

To these ends my invention consists in the features and in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described, and particularlypointed out in the claims following the descriptiomreference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved coolin g apparatus applied to the main of a watersupply system,and Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional View thereof and the inclosing casing,

In the usual and well-known system employed for supplying water to cities, towns, and the like the water-mains and distributing and service pipes are buried beneath the earth at such a depth as not to be easily affected by changes in temperature, and hence by cooling or refrigerating the water passing through the mains the water supplied to an entire town or city for drinking or domestic purposes can be delivered in a cool or cold condition in the heated seasons without compelling each individual consumer to employ .and 2, respectively, indicate two sections of a water-main which may form the conduit of any suitable or preferred type of water-supply system for cities, towns, and the like. The section 1 of the main, which leads fromthe source of supplysuch as a reservoir, for example-is connected to one end of a tubular or cylindrical manifold or header .3, while thesection 2, which leads to the service and distributing pipes of the system, is connected to the opposite end of a similar and parallel mani- .fold 4. The manifolds 3 and 4 are closed at their corresponding ends 5, and fitted in the opposite ends are removable covers 6, which may conveniently consist of screw-threaded plugs screwed into the ends of the manifolds. The manifolds 3 and 4,which I respectively denominate the receiving and discharge manifolds, are placed in communication with each other by a plurality of transverse pipesections 7, which form numerous passages for the water from one end of the manifolds to the other. As shown, the pipe-sections consist of straight water-pipes of suitable length, each of which isof a relatively small diameter. The receiving and discharging manifolds should be of'the same diameter, and preferably each is of approximately of the same diameter asthe water-main. The combined diameters of the pipe-sections should be at least equal to the diameter of the manifolds or water-main to pre'vent the unobstructed flow of the water through the main being interferedwith,and,if desired, the number of said pipe-sections may be increased. Each of the pipe-sections 7 is connected at its opposite ends to the receiving and discharge manifolds by a pipe coupling or union 8, by means of which the pipe-sections may be readily assembled in place and re moved, and said pipe-sections are provided with hand-operated valves 9,by turning which any one of the pipe-sections may be cut off from communication with the manifolds, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

Coiled about each of the pipe-sections 7 is a refrigerant or cooling pipe 10, there being a separate and independent coil for each pipesection. The convolutions of the coils 10 extend about the entire lengths of the pipe-sections 7, and the opposite ends of said coils are connected by unions or couplings 11 to manifolds 12 and 13. The coils 10 are also provided with valves 14, by means of which any one of the coils may be cut out of operation. The manifold 12 is closed at one end and at its other end is connected with an ammonia-supply pipe, forming part of any well-known amnionia-refrigeration plant or machine, an d the manifold 13 is also closed at one end and at its other end is connected to a suction-pipe leading to a condenser or the like. (Not shown.) The ammonia-supply and suction pipes are preferably connected to the opposite ends of the respective an1monia-1nanifolcls.

The manifold 12 and section 2 of the main are respectively provided with gages 15 and 16, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows: The water flows from the reservoir or other source of supply through the section 1 of the main into the receiving-manifold 3, and from the latter passes through the connectin g pipe-seetions 7 to the discharge-manifold 4L and from the latter out through the section 2 of the main to the service and distributing pipes. The ammonia passes from the manifold 12 through the coils 10, by which latter it is caused to circulate around each of the connecting pipe-sections 7, and it then 7 passes into the receiving ammonia-manifold 13, from which latter the ammonia-gas is led oil by the suction-pipe to the condenser, where it is liquefied and again used in a well-known manner. Owing to the relatively small size of the connecting pipe-sections 7 and each one being inclosed within the convolutions of the refrigerating-coils the temperature of the water is very rapidly reduced and a large volume can be cooled at a time, the water being sufficiently cooled while in transit through the apparatus at ordinary pressu re and velocities.

By means of the valves 14 anyone or number of the refrigerating-coils can be put out of operation if the temperature of the water should be reduced too low or rapidly and without reducing the flow of water through the apparatus, as the water passing through all the connecting pipe-sections is delivered into the common receiving-manifold 4 and there mixed before passing into the section 2 of the main. By means of the gages 15 and 16 the pressure of ammonia in the supply-manifold and the temperature of .the water passing through the main 2 to the distributing and service pipes is indicated, so that the refrigerating apparatus can be controlled to produce the proper or desired result.

Should any one of the connecting pipe-sections 7 become obstructed or clogged up, the valves 9 in all or any desired number of the other pipe-sections can be closed, thus increasing the pressure of water in the clogged section sufficiently to force out the obstruction and clear the pipe-section. It will be noted that each refrigerating-coil is independent of the others and is individually coiled about one of the pipe-sections, so that should any one of the pipe-sections or refrigeratingcoils be in need of repair the valves can be closed in such pipe-section and refrigeratingcoil, and by uncoupling their unions both the pipe-section and its coil can be bodily detached and removed and then replaced without stopping or interfering with the operation of the apparatus. Should it become necessary to clean out the manifolds 3 and 4, it may be readily accomplished by removing the plugs or covers 6.

I' have shown the sections 1 and 2 of the main connected to the opposite ends of the respective manifolds, and by this arrangement the Water is compelled to uniformly flow through all the connecting pipe-sections, and the same arrangement is employed in connection with the refrigerating-coils and their manifolds and for a similar purpose.

I may arrange the apparatus either vertically or horizontally, as may be most desir able in individual circumstances, and it is inclosed within a casing 17, so that in case of emergency or when otherwise desirable ice may be packed about the manifolds and their connecting pipe-sections for the purpose of cooling the water. It will also be evident that a refrigerating medium other than ammonia may be employed.

Having described my invention, what I claim is-'- 1. In a refrigerating apparatus for watersupply systems, the combination with a watermain, of two manifolds each connected with asection of the main, aplurality of relatively small pipe sections connecting said manifolds, and refrigerating-coils one for each pipe-section, independentlysurrounding said pipe-sections, substantially as described.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus for watersupply systems, the combination with a watermain, of two manifolds each connected with a section of the main, a plurality of transverse and relatively small pipe-sections con necting said manifolds, valves for closing the communication between the manifolds through any one of the pipe-sections at will, and refrigerating-coils surrounding each of said pipe-sections, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus for watersupply systems, the combination with a watermain, of two manifolds each connected with a section of the main, a plurality of transverse and relatively small pipe-sections detachably connected at their opposite ends to said manifolds, valves arranged in said pipesections, and refrigerating-coils surrounding each of said pipe-sections, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus for Watersupply systems, the combination with a watermain, of two manifolds each connected with a section of the main, a plurality of transverse and relatively small pipe-sections connected at their opposite ends to said manifolds, valves arranged in said pipe -sections, refrigerant supply and discharge manifolds, refrigerating-coils connected at their opposite ends to said refrigerant-manifolds and each coiled intermediate its ends about one of said'pipesections, and valves arranged in said coils, substantially as described and for the purpose specified. p

5. In a refrigerating apparatus for Watersupply systems, the combination with a watersupply main, of two manifolds each connected with a section of the main, a plurality of transverse and relatively small pipe-sections detachably connected at their opposite ends to said manifolds, valves arranged in said pipesections, refrigerant supply and discharging manifolds, refrigerating-coils detachably connected at their opposite ends to said refrigerant-manifolds, and each coiled intermediate its ends about one of said pipe-sections, and valves arranged in said coils, substantially as described and for the purpose specified;

small pipe-sections connecting said manifolds, and refrigerating-coils surrounding each of said pipe-sections, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEVI K. BRUBAKER.

Witnesses:

J. CLAYTON BRUBAKER, ISRAEL G. EBB.

connected at the opposite end to the adjacent section of the main, a' plurality of relatively- 

